Good oral health can not only significantly benefit speech, smiling, eating and facial expression, but it can also help keep your body safe — not just your mouth. A recent study may have found a link between periodontitis treatment and type 2 diabetes, proving that oral health can have far-reaching effects on the body — for better or for worse.
The Diabetes Epidemic
Over 30.3 million adults in America have diabetes, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, diabetes is a very serious disease which can significantly reduce the quality of life of those suffering from it. It’s among the top 10 leading causes of death — about 80,000 people a year — in the United States. The CDC reports that in 2014 alone, diabetes-related instances counted for roughly 7.2 million hospital discharges and 14.2 million emergency room visits.
At this point, the diabetes epidemic needs all the help it can get. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of all diabetes cases, according to the CDC. Due to national prevalence and severity of impact on human health and lifespan, any new treatments or potential checks for type 2 diabetes are extremely important. A study published in The Lancet, a leading medical journal, may offer another way to keep diabetes — specifically type 2 — in check.
The Study
A year-long trial was run among patients from four hospitals and 15 dental or medical practices in the United Kingdom to see if improved oral health could help patients with type 2 diabetes with glycemic control.
About 260 patients were recruited who had type 2 diabetes, moderate-to-severe periodontitis and at least 15 teeth. Patients were randomly assigned treatment plans — either intensive treatment that included whole-mouth subgingival scaling and surgery, or a control plan that involved more basic periodontal treatment.
The Results
The study looked at the difference in HbA1c — a measure of average blood glucose (sugar) levels over 2-3 months — in the patients before and after the trial. The patients who received the more intensive treatment showed reduced HbA1c levels, while those who got the basic treatment had no change. These findings suggest that routine oral health checks combined with periodontitis treatment could be crucial for managing type 2 diabetes.
Indications
The study showed that intensive gum disease treatment reduced HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontitis after a year. Since HbA1c is a glycemic measure in type 2 diabetes, reduced rates of HbA1c may indicate that a person’s diabetes is being positively impacted by gum health control.
The study’s final interpretation was that type 2 diabetes could be effectively managed by routine oral health assessments and periodontitis treatment. In that way, gum health could indeed prove to be an invaluable resource for those with type 2 diabetes.
The question then becomes how dental and health professionals can team up to get the message across to patients with both type 2 diabetes and periodontitis. Furthermore, how can the resources necessary to reduce HbA1c be made available to more patients who fit the profile?
As the diabetes epidemic only spreads further, any potential for relief will become even more important, making this study one to share and consider for future incoming patients.